Accupressure foam system with inflatable bladders

ABSTRACT

A zero-gravity position wedge system includes an upper body wedge containing one or more inflatable bladders, a foot wedge, and a pump to inflate the bladders. A mat system includes a mat containing one or more inflatable bladders and a pump to inflate the bladders. The mat is placed on a foam wedge or a zero-gravity position chair. A zero-gravity position chair includes a chair with a reclined upper body support and a raised knee portion; a pair of armrests with a cuff; at least one inflatable bladder in the upper body support; and a pump to inflate the bladder. The cuff activates an acupressure point.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/988,073, filed Mar. 11, 2020, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to acupressure and zero gravity positioning and, more particularly, to a polymeric foam device with periodically inflated bladders and acupressure activating protrusions.

Emotional, physical, and psychological trauma and pain reside within the systems of the body (e.g., heart rate, respiratory, cranial sacral, lymphatic, etc.). Currently available wedges and mats do not balance the systems of the body to facilitate improved well-being and health.

Placing the body in a zero-gravity position makes the body more receptive to releasing pain and trauma. Most currently available products do not place the body in a zero-gravity position. Products that do provide a zero-gravity position do nothing to balance energy in the systems of the body.

As can be seen, there is a need for a product that balances energy in the body while enabling the body to rest in a zero-gravity position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a wedge system and a foam mat with a zero-gravity chair in a zero-gravity position. Embedded in the foam wedge and mat are bladders that inflate and deflate with a rhythm which is believed to mimic the energy movement of healthy systems of the body. Combined, the zero-gravity position and bladder inflation rhythm, with repeated use, are believed to assist the body in releasing epigenetic cellular memory of pain and trauma. A convoluted top added to the wedge and mat may activate acupressure points of the human body during use of the wedge and/or the mat.

The mat and wedge system address energy imbalances of the body's systems and facilitate the body's ability to balance itself. It may also be used for pets or camping.

In one aspect of the present invention, a zero-gravity position wedge system is provided, comprising an upper body wedge containing one or more inflatable bladders; a foot wedge; and a pump operative to inflate the inflatable bladders.

In another aspect of the present invention, a mat system is provided, comprising a mat containing one or more inflatable bladders and a pump operative to inflate the one or more inflatable bladders, wherein the mat is configured to be placed on a foam wedge or a zero-gravity position chair.

In another aspect of the present invention, a zero-gravity position chair is provided, comprising a chair with a reclined upper body support and a raised knee portion; a pair of armrests with a cuff effective to activate an acupressure point; at least one inflatable bladder within the reclined upper body support; and a pump operative to inflate the at least one inflatable bladder.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a wedge system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of an upper body wedge thereof;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view thereof, taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a detail sectional view the upper body wedge thereof;

FIG. 5 is a detail sectional view thereof, illustrating inflation of bladders;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the wedge system of FIG. 1, shown in use;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a chair with a mat according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view thereof, with the chair shown in hidden lines for clarity of illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

As used herein, the term “zero gravity position” refers to a position in which a subject's weight is evenly distributed, keeping the spine in a neutral posture like that experienced by an astronaut due to zero gravity or microgravity.

Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a foam wedge system with inflatable bladders. Another embodiment of the present invention is a foam mat with inflatable bladders.

As defined herein, a wedge for the upper body, upper body wedge, head foam wedge, or head wedge refers to a polyhedron defined by two triangles and three trapezoid faces. A wedge for the lower body, foot foam wedge, or foot wedge refers to a polyhedron defined by two trapezoids and four trapezoid faces. The term “wedge” does not exclude rounded edges and corners.

The inventive wedge system and mat system are generally portable and may be used in a variety of professional medical settings. The mat and wedge system may also be provided as a stationary multi-purpose chair for medical and retail establishments.

The wedge system according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an approximately triangular-shaped wedge with a triangular side to support the user's upper body and head and an approximately trapezoid-shaped wedge to support the user's lower body and legs, with a peak or raised knee portion to support the knees. The wedges may have a rounded silhouette at the corners. The upper body wedge may have a longitudinal depression, longitudinal concavity, or dip midway along the upper surface with an opening to receive an inflatable bladder(s) slightly beneath the depression.

The dimensions of the wedges are not particularly limited. For example, the upper body wedge may have a height of about 15″ and a length of about 28″ and the lower body wedge may have a height of about 9″ and a length of about 28″.

The foam wedges may have a convoluted foam topper or a convoluted pad which may supplement the zero-gravity position shape of the wedge to enhance energy movement within the human body, easing trauma and pain.

In some embodiments, a foam mat may be combined with a foam wedge which serves as a zero-gravity position chair. The foam mat may be arranged on the chair and may have a convoluted foam topper which may supplement the zero-gravity position shape of the chair to enhance energy movement within the human body, easing trauma and pain. In some embodiments, the chair may have a pair of armrests with a cuff bracelet on each armrest to activate acupressure points.

The foam mat dimensions are not particularly limited. For example, a foam mat may be about 23″×about 65″ and about 2″ thick.

In some embodiments, the invention provides a professional therapy chair with one or more openings in a reclined upper-body support in which to position inflatable bladders. The chair may have raised regions to activate acupressure points. In some embodiments, the chair may be coupled with headphones for audio therapy and/or a colored mat or cover for color therapy.

Pillows generally having an approximately figure-eight shape and a central depression may also enhance energy movement within the body. The pillows may have a range of dimensions. For example, the pillows may be about 15″ to about 18″ long, about 2.5″ to about 3″ thick, and a variable width ranging from about 3″ to about 7″.

Chambers (e.g., about 2) embedded within the foam house inflatable bladders in the upper body half of the device. The bladders embedded within the wedge or mat may be inflated by any suitable means, such as a rechargeable pump with inflation hoses. The various pressure and rhythm settings are believed to be able to mimic the energy movement of 5 systems of the human body: heart rate, respiratory, cranial sacral, lymphatic, and circulatory. As the body is in a zero-gravity position created by the zero-gravity position wedge system, or the mat on a zero-gravity chair, the pump operates the embedded inflatable bladders just under the convoluted foam surface to activate pressure points within the body.

The zero-gravity position produced by the wedge system and the mat relieves pressure to organs and joints by positioning the body to have equal effects of gravity. The resulting relief from pressure imbalance is believed to enable the body's electrical systems to lessen production of electric impulses responsive to pain and to align the body with the earth's electromagnetic polarity. This is believed to prepare the body for balancing and the re-messaging of the body's systems.

In some embodiments, the device may have adjustable lumbar support and adjustable cervical support.

The method of manufacture is not particularly limited. For example, foam may be cut into two wedges with rounded corners having a shape suitable for a zero-gravity position. A mat and pillows may be cut from foam. Bladder openings may be placed in both the wedge and the mat at positions that correlate to the location of lungs in the human body. A convoluted foam topping may be glued to each foam wedge, leaving an opening for inflatable bladders in the top half wedge. Inflatable bladders with an attached pump may be inserted into the openings. A slick material may be cut for the base of the bottom half wedge. The dimensions of the material are not particularly limited; it may be, for example, about 24″×about 24″. A multi-colored natural cloth may be cut to form a covering for the wedge system and mat.

A method of using the inventive product is as follows. The mat may be placed on a zero-gravity chair. A pump may be attached to inflate the bladders and a cloth covering may be placed over the mat. The user may lie down on the mat, using pillows for extra support if needed. The user may turn on power to the device, e.g., by pressing a power button, and may set the pump to predetermined pressure and inflation frequency settings.

Another method of using the inventive product is as follows. The wedge system may be placed on a stable, flat surface, like a bed or floor. A pump may be attached to inflate the bladders and a cloth covering may be placed over the wedges. The user may lie down on the wedge system, using pillows for extra support if needed. The user may turn on power to the device, e.g., by pressing a power button, and may set the pump to predetermined pressure and inflation frequency settings.

The materials of manufacture are not particularly limited. The wedge, mat and pillows are preferably made from high quality, eco-friendly foam produced from soybean-based gas without many of the toxic based chemicals present in many existing foam products. This provides for a higher vibration helping to facilitate energy movement within the human body. In some cases, the mat may have gel within the interior, such as silicone gel. In some embodiments, the wedge base pillows may be manufactured with a slick surface material. For example, the bottom half wedge (i.e., the “leg” portion) may have a slick covering for its base to add energy movement. In some embodiments, the covering may be a multi-colored natural cloth material. The multi-colored natural cloth covering may protect the integrity of the foam and may increase vibrations and enhance energy movement within the subject's body. Each color in the color spectrum is believed to match a distinct frequency within the body, such as a frequency for bone, for the liver, for the heart, etc. The matching frequencies are believed to help support the health of that area of that body.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 8, FIGS. 1 to 3 show a foam wedge system according to an embodiment of the present invention including a head or upper body foam wedge 10, topped with a convoluted foam cover 12, and having a first bladder 16 and a second bladder 18 within an insertion slot 20, 22, a first base 14, and a foot foam wedge 30, topped with a convoluted foam cover 32, having a second base 34. A pump (not shown) supplies air to inflate bladders 16, 18 in the head foam wedge 10. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the upper body wedge 10 of FIG. 2, with the insertion slot 18 and the bladder 52 in a deflated condition (in FIG. 4) and an inflated condition (in FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 6, the inventive foam wedge system is operative to support a user (shown in broken lines) in a zero-gravity position.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a chair, shown in broken lines in FIG. 8, with a mat 50 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The mat 50 has cervical and/or lumbar supports 38, a first bladder 52, and a second bladder 54. The first bladder 52 is accessible by way of a bladder insertion slot 56. The chair is also shown with a fabric cover 40 having a color therapy section 42 and pressure point nubs 44, 46, 48.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A zero-gravity position wedge system, comprising: a) an upper body wedge containing one or more inflatable bladders; b) a foot wedge; and c) a pump operative to inflate the inflatable bladders.
 2. The zero-gravity position wedge system of claim 1, wherein the upper body wedge has a longitudinal concavity along an upper surface and a chamber, having an opening on a triangular side, encompassing the one or more inflatable bladders.
 3. The zero-gravity position wedge system of claim 1, further comprising a convoluted pad on an upper surface of the upper body wedge and the foot wedge.
 4. The zero-gravity position wedge system of claim 1, wherein the upper body wedge and the foot wedge comprise polymeric foam.
 5. The zero-gravity position wedge system of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable lumbar support and an adjustable cervical support.
 6. A mat system, comprising a mat containing one or more inflatable bladders and a pump operative to inflate the one or more inflatable bladders, wherein the mat is configured to be placed on a foam wedge or a zero-gravity position chair.
 7. The mat system of claim 6, wherein the mat comprises polymeric foam.
 8. The mat system of claim 6, further comprising an adjustable lumbar support and an adjustable cervical support.
 9. A zero-gravity position chair, comprising: a) a chair with a reclined upper body support and a raised knee portion; b) a pair of armrests with a cuff effective to activate an acupressure point; c) at least one inflatable bladder within the reclined upper body support; and d) a pump operative to inflate the at least one inflatable bladder.
 10. The zero-gravity position chair of claim 9, further comprising raised regions on a surface effective to activate pressure points.
 11. The zero-gravity position chair of claim 9, further comprising headphones.
 12. The zero-gravity position chair of claim 9, further comprising a color therapy cover.
 13. The zero-gravity position chair of claim 9, further comprising a convoluted pad thereon.
 14. The zero-gravity position chair of claim 9, further comprising an adjustable lumbar support and an adjustable cervical support. 